TODAY’S PREVIEWS
COMPILED BY PHILIP LANIGAN & MICHEAL CLIFFORD
Allianz FL Division 1 North:
Monaghan v Armagh, Enniskillen, 3.00pm; Referee: C Branagan (Down) This is Armagh’s first game at this level in nine years but they will not fear the Farney men who they hammered by eight points in the championship two years ago.
Verdict: Armagh
Division 1 South:
Roscommon v Dublin, Dr Hyde Park, 1.45pm; Referee: D O’Mahoney (Tipperary) The result will hardy be the source of interest post match here when the press get their chance to quiz Mick Gavin, Dublin’s interim manager in the absence of the suspended Dessie Farrell, as to what level of regret is still harboured in the camp for getting caught in the training act.
Verdict: Dublin
Division 2 North:
Meath v Westmeath, Navan, 3.45pm; Referee: B Cawley (Kildare) If Dublin are the measuring stick, Westmeath lost by only double scores to the champions last winter, but Meath are better than that.
Verdict: Meath Division Clare v Laois, 2 South: Ennis, 4.00pm; Referee: That Clare S have Lonergan stayed (Tipperary) in the game’s second tier for five successive seasons is one of the game’s great unheralded management achievements so Colm Collins should take a bow.
Verdict: Clare
Division 3 South:
Wicklow v Offaly, Aughrim, 2.00pm; Referee: S Mulhare (Laois) With a good production line and one of the brightest young managers around in David Burke , Wicklow will not be fazed. And Offaly are not to be trusted.
Verdict: Wicklow
Division 4 North:
Sligo v Leitrim, Markievicz Park, 3.00pm; Referee: N Cullen (Fermanagh) One of Sligo’s great servants Niall Ewing called time on his career this week, which is a pity because Tony McEntee may just get a promotion tune out of them this summer.
Verdict: Sligo Allianz Hurling League Division 1 – Group A
Galway v Limerick
Pearse Stadium, 3.45pm (TG4) Referee: J Owens (Wexford) Galway are one of the few teams to have the physique and power to match up with the champions and the quality of their ball-striking was superb against Westmeath. A chance to end Limerick’s much-touted unbeaten streak in all competitions.
Verdict: Galway
Waterford v Westmeath Walsh Park, 1.30pm (GAAGO) Referee: C McAllister (Cork) While Westmeath struggled with the pace and quality of Galway, Ciaran Doyle’s volleyed point was a wonder. Another big ask against a Waterford team inspired by Austin Gleeson (right) and Stephen Bennett last time out.
Verdict: Waterford
Group B
Clare v Wexford Cusack Park, 12.45pm (GAAGO) Referee: F Horgan (Tipperary) Davy Fitzgerald didn’t want to bite in interviews on the various off-the-field sub-plots – he knows Wexford have a point to prove in 2021. No goals conceded and 4-17 posted was a statement of intent against Laois.
Verdict: Wexford
Kilkenny v Antrim
Nowlan Park, 1.30pm (GAAGO) Referee: S Stack (Dublin) Antrim deserve all the plaudits thrown their way since taking the prized scalp of Clare, the sharp-shooting of Ciaran Clarke being a big factor. Conceding so much possession off puck-outs though might not work out again.
Verdict: Kilkenny
Division 2A
Down v Carlow McKenna Park, 1.00pm Referee: C Cunning (Antrim) Marty Kavanagh continues to show his class, bagging 29 against Wicklow last weekend, and is part of a Carlow front line that should have too much.
Verdict: Carlow Offaly v Kerry
Bord na Móna O’Connor Park, 2.00pm
Referee: N Wall (Cork) A dozen different scorers in a 3-25 to 3-9 victory over Meath was one of the most pleasing aspects for Offaly and this is another must-win.
Verdict: Offaly
Division 3A
Armagh v Longford Athletic Grounds, 1.00pm Referee: J Clarke (Cavan)
Verdict: Armagh
Tyrone v Monaghan Healy Park, 2:00pm Referee: S Guinan (Offaly)
Verdict: Tyrone
Division 3B
Cavan v Fermanagh Kingspan Breffni Park, 2.00pm
Referee: C Flynn (Westmeath)
Verdict: Fermanagh
Leitrim v Louth
Avant Money Páirc Seán Mac Diarmada, 2.00pm Referee: B Keon (Galway)
Verdict: Leitrim